One of the critical things that any Christian can do in their lives is to submit to the Lord to shepherd their life. For many of us, we go through life without the Lord’s direction and guidance. In this morning’s text, Jesus has identified himself as the good shepherd. For the Pharisees and many of us we have an idea of what a shepherd is; however, we have never encountered a shepherd like Jesus.
Let us look at today’s text and the characteristics that Jesus uses to describe himself as the good shepherd. Jesus says a good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. There has never been, nor is there currently, or will there ever be a shepherd who has done for us what Jesus did for us. No one took Jesus’ life. He voluntarily laid down his life that we might have eternal life.
In comparison, many shepherds are just hired hands. Many shepherds are just in it for the money or they are just there because it is a job they were hired to do. We see this because the shepherd who does not take ownership in the sheep will not be there to defend the sheep at the most critical times of life. Jesus says the hired hand sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees.
As pastors, we are not the ultimate good shepherd; but, certainly we can learn how to be a shepherd from Jesus’ example. For the sheep God has given us the privilege to shepherd, we must recognize the enemy when he comes. We must stay with the sheep and not depart for our own self preservation.
We should allow the Lord to shepherd us because:
1. He laid down his life for us
2. He is the good shepherd
3. He takes ownership in our lives
4. He is concerned when others
a. Leave
b. Flee
c. Snatch
d. Scatter
5. He knows us.
6. He allows us to get to know him.
Application:
1. We must recognize how much Jesus loves us
2. We must totally surrender our lives to him
3. We must realize he always knows …
a. When we are going through
b. What we are going through
c. Who we are coming up against.
Lord, bless all shepherds who follow your example of shepherding. In Jesus name, AMEN!
